The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 94

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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In Search of the Duke’s Husband – Episode 94

Among the men who offered similar compensation, she chose Count Elysium out of a sliver of affection for her daughter.
“A younger man would be better than an old one. May they become a harmonious couple and bear healthy children.”
Frigia wept without realizing it as she gazed upon the portrait of Count Elysium, to whom her marriage had been arranged.
She had resolved to accept marriage to anyone with grace and dignity.
It was the responsibility and duty bestowed upon her, after all.
‘I once dreamed of marrying someone magnificent and kind, but I thought it was a foolish fantasy. Yet here I am, becoming the wife of such a wonderful man….’
Frigia offered a prayer of gratitude to God.
At last, the wedding day arrived. Frigia met Count Elysium for the first time.
He was even more handsome than his portrait had suggested, and his smile was tender.
He whispered to the trembling Frigia in a gentle voice.
“I am delighted to receive a bride as beautiful as you.”
Frigia’s eyes glistened with tears behind her white veil.
“With all my body and soul, I shall cherish and protect my wife throughout my life as her husband.”
“With all my body and soul, I shall trust and follow my husband throughout my life as his wife.”
The bride and groom exchanged their marriage vows.
That night, Frigia sat in the bridal chamber, still dressed in her wedding gown.
Thump-thump, thump-thump. Her heart raced beyond her control.
Her lips, painted with crimson rouge, had gone dry, and her clasped hands would not stop trembling.
‘It’s alright. There’s nothing to fear. He’s such a magnificent and kind man. I can be a happy bride tonight.’
The door creaked open, and Count Elysium entered the chamber. The moment he stepped inside, a reek of alcohol filled the room.
His footsteps echoed as Count Elysium approached Frigia. His voice reached her ears.
“Frigia, my beautiful wife.”
“….”
“Get down on the floor and kneel.”
“Pardon?”
Frigia’s eyes widened as she failed to comprehend his words.
Count Elysium sighed softly, then seized her by the hair and dragged her down. “Ahhh!” As Frigia cried out in shock, Count Elysium spoke to her savagely.
“Since it’s our first night, I’ll explain kindly this once. From now on, when I speak, obey my commands without question or complaint. That is the virtue my wife must uphold.”
In Palenta, women held lower status than in the Empire. Men were rough, and beaten women were commonplace. Yet Frigia was profoundly shocked.
She had believed her husband was not such a man.
His gentle voice came again.
“Kneel and look at me.”
Frigia knew well the agony that followed when one refused a man of power.
Frigia hastily descended from the bed and knelt upon the floor.
Like a slave standing before a king.
Count Elysium let out a small laugh, clearly pleased by her demeanor.
“You’re as obedient as I’ve heard.”
He reached out and lifted the veil covering Frigia’s face.
Upon seeing Frigia’s trembling, terrified expression, Count Elysium smiled with satisfaction.
“And beautiful too—I’m quite pleased indeed.”
It was not the gaze of a man looking at his wife. It was the gaze of someone examining a purchased commodity.
Count Elysium caressed Frigia’s ashen face.
“Don’t worry. In front of others, I’ll treat you like the most precious princess.”
“….”
“But when we’re alone, that changes. You’ll kneel and look up to me. From now on, for the rest of your life, I am your master.”
She wanted to scream that she refused. She wanted to flee the room.
But she could not.
In Palenta, marriage was the most sacred of rituals. To abandon one’s spouse was a grave sin.
In the worst case, it could cost her her life.
She did not want to die. She did not want to fail. She did not want to be condemned.
In the end, Frigia desperately held back her tears and nodded.
“As you wish, my husband.”

The marriage that followed was nothing like what I had hoped for—it was a nightmare—yet I endured it.
Count Elysium was as affectionate as his word when others were present, and he only resorted to violence once every few days when he had been drinking.
On the nights he struck me, I felt as though I had fallen into hell itself, yet I steeled myself and persevered.
‘It’s fine. It’s nothing. If I can just survive tonight, this nightmare will end and my peaceful life will resume.’
About a year into the marriage, I became pregnant.
During my pregnancy, Count Elysium did not lay a hand on me. Even that demon cherished his own bloodline.
A daughter was born.
I watched my husband carefully, fearing he might be displeased. But Count Elysium smiled with satisfaction.
“Golden hair and green eyes—she looks just like you. This child will surely grow into a remarkable beauty.”
Count Elysium named his daughter Elizabeth and doted on her. For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps with a child, he would truly become kind?
It was a vain wish.
“When the family business began to falter, my husband’s drinking increased.”
Count Elysium entered my bedroom reeking of strong liquor, a riding crop in his hand.
I trembled as I quietly knelt and lowered my garments, exposing my bare back.
Crack—!
The crop in Count Elysium’s hand came down across my back.
Even after experiencing it dozens of times, the pain never became bearable.
Yet I did not beg him to stop. I did not cry. I knew that only made the violence worse.
I did not realize this would become my undoing.
Last night, Count Elysium wore an expression of clear displeasure.
“You used to cry and beg for forgiveness with just a few blows. Now you simply take them in silence. How dreadfully boring.”
“…!”
“This won’t do. My anger remains unsatisfied. I need to provide you with fresh stimulation.”
With that chilling remark, Count Elysium left the room.
Huddled on the floor, Frigia was consumed by terror.
Fresh stimulation? What could that mean? Would he use something other than the whip to strike her?
No. I’m afraid. I want to escape…!
The tears she had been holding back finally spilled forth.
Count Elysium returned. The moment Frigia saw him, she nearly lost her mind and screamed.
He had brought their young daughter, who had been sleeping in her own room.
Frigia hastily pulled her clothes together to hide her wounds.
“H-Husband, why is Elizabeth….”
“Our daughter should learn as well. What happens when one defies my will.”
Understanding her husband’s intent, Frigia shook her head with a deathly pale face.
“No, please. Take Elizabeth away. Please, I beg you….”
At the desperation in her voice—a tone he had not heard from her in recent times—Count Elysium’s lips curved upward.
Elizabeth, still unaware of the situation, blinked her large, drowsy eyes as she looked at Frigia.
“Mother…?”
Frigia cried out.
“No, don’t! Close your eyes, Elizabeth! Don’t look, don’t look!”
Toward Frigia, Count Elysium swung the whip without mercy.
Crack—!
A scar was etched upon Frigia’s soul that she would never forget for the rest of her life.
And upon Elizabeth’s spring-green eyes as well.

* * *

Artia’s face hardened at this shocking revelation. Frigia continued, her expression twisted.
“Even as he struck me, I continued to beg. I pleaded for him to let Elizabeth go. But my husband would not listen.”
Instead, he smiled with cruel amusement.
Standing beside him, Elizabeth wept until her voice grew hoarse. It was all a small child could do—unable to stop her father or defend her mother.
The night her husband beat her and her daughter cried was a hell worse than hell itself.
Frigia understood then.
For the sake of her one precious daughter, she could not continue living this way.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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